balloon help - Computer Definition

On-screen help that is displayed when the mouse is moved over an icon, file name or other object (and not clicked). The word balloon in the term name comes from cartoon-style dialogs, but most balloon help shows its text in a rectangle. The help may provide a definition or show the object's properties such as location or content. See speech balloon.

Image Characteristics

When the mouse is moved over an image name in this Open Files list, the balloon help shows what the file contains.